Power line communication monitor

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments include a monitor terminal in a data center communicating with an access node in the data center via power line communication (PLC) protocol. The monitor terminal can track and manage power quality at a specific location in the data center. The monitor terminal can couple to a power line. The monitor terminal can power a measurement component and a PLC modem by electrical signals of the power line. The measurement component can measure a physical quantity of the electrical signals across the power line. The PLC modem can communicate a measurement message, indicating the measured physical quantity, across the power line to the access node.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/683,120, entitled “POWER LINE COMMUNICATION MONITOR,” filed on Nov.21, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the need for data storage has increased dramatically.With the increase in demand for data storage, data centers everywherehave to face new physical and logical challenges in managing the storagemedia.

Data centers can be proprietary enterprise datacenters or collocationspace. In either situation, monitoring of the data center environmentand equipment is crucial to maintaining a properly functioning datacenter. Monitoring can include keeping track of a power voltage level ofa power supply, a power current level of a power supply, a temperature,a humidity level, or any combination thereof. Existing monitor systemstend to be difficult to install. Complicated wiring of the monitorsensors and monitor stations increases the cost of installation of thesetraditional monitor systems. No specific solutions have been found toresolve these challenges adequately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a power line communication monitor system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a monitor system environment for operation of thepower line communication monitor system.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an example of an electrical access device.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate other examples of an electrical access device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a monitor component.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of deployment of apower monitor system.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of operating a powermonitor system.

The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References in this description to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, orthe like, mean that the particular feature, function, or characteristicbeing described is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do notnecessarily all refer to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarilymutually exclusive.

The techniques introduced here enable easy deployment of a monitorterminal in a data center. The monitor terminal is a device formeasuring and tracking one or more physical quantities of an environmentor equipment and reporting the one or more physical quantities back to acentral monitor station. The monitor terminal can also proactivelymodify the environment or equipment based on the tracked physicalquantities. For example, the monitor terminal can be used to track andmanage power quality through a power cable.

In particular, these techniques enable coupling of the monitor terminalto a power cable in the data center for providing monitoring at variouslocations of the power cable and for communicating the monitor datainformation back to the central monitor station over power linecommunication. Power line communication is a method of modulating asignal for communication purposes through a power cable withoutaffecting proper functioning of power delivery. Conventional monitorterminals are wired individually to connect to the central monitorstation. This makes it costly and difficult to deploy monitor terminalsnear equipments in the data center.

Therefore, to allow ease of deployment of monitor terminals to powercable loads, such as data storage equipments, a mechanism to deploypower line communication monitor terminals is introduced here. Thismechanism allows an electrical access device to be connected to anypoint on the power cable, such as by stripping part of the power cableto insert a connection tap. This mechanism allows electrical access nearthe load of the power cable. This approach also allows the monitorterminal that is electrically coupled to the electrical access device tocommunicate via power line communication. The electrical access devicecoupled to the monitor terminal, therefore, can provide power to themonitor terminal, can provide a communication channel from the monitorterminal to external systems, and can provide an opportunity for themonitor terminal to track the power usage and status along the powercable.

In the solution intended here, a power monitor system can include: apower line communication device to communicate messages across a powerline. A monitor device can be coupled to the power line communicationdevice. The monitor device can include a measurement component. Anelectrical access device can couple to the power line, wherein theelectrical access device includes a connection tap inserted into thepower line through a first insulation sheath to a first conductor withinthe power line. The connection tap can be electrically coupled to thepower line communication device and the monitor device.

In another embodiment, a method of deployment of a power monitor systemcan include coupling a monitor device that has a measurement componentto a power line communication device for communicating a physicalquantity measured by the measurement component across a power line. Themethod can also include inserting a connection tap of an electricalaccess device into the power line through an insulation sheath to aconductor within the power line and attaching the electrical accessdevice to the power line. Then the electrical access device can beelectrically coupled to the monitor device and the power linecommunication device.

In yet another embodiment, a method of operating a power monitor systemcan include: measuring a physical quantity with a measurement componentof a monitor device; communicating measurement messages across a powerline with a power line communication device; and powering the monitordevice and the power line communication device through an electricalaccess device coupled to the power line, the electrical access devicehaving a connection tap inserted into the power line through aninsulation sheath to a conductor within the power line.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a power line communicationmonitor system 100. The power line communication monitor system 100. Thepower line communication monitor system 100 can be an assembly ofdevices and components for measuring one or more physical properties,such as temperature, electric current, electric voltage, electric power,acceleration, direction, orientation, impact, pressure, lightingcondition, moisture, or any combination thereof.

The power line communication monitor system 100 can include a monitorterminal 102. The monitor terminal 102 is a device for measuring andtracking one or more physical quantities of an environment or equipmentand reporting the one or more physical quantities back to a centralmonitor station. The monitor terminal can also optional proactivelymodify the environment or equipment based on the tracked physicalquantities. The monitor terminal 102 is modular and portable, capable ofbeing removed and functionally installed at a different location, suchas without soldering or without reconfiguring an external system.

The monitor terminal 102 is coupled to an electrical access device 104.The electrical access device 104 is a structure that can secure itselfto a power cable 106 and be electrically connected to a conductive wirewithin the power cable 106. The power cable 106 is a power line fordelivery of electrical power. The power cable 106 is a cable, at leastone parameter of which is to be monitored in the illustrated example.The power cable 106 includes an insulation sheath around the conductivewire, where the conductive wire is for delivering power to electronicdevices.

The electrical access device 104 includes an attachment body 108. Theattachment body 108 is for securing the electrical access device 104 tothe power cable 106. The attachment body 108, for example, can be acradle, a clip, a strap, a ring, a tape, a pin, a knob, or anycombination thereof. As a specific example, the attachment body 108 canbe a connector formed according to the Splicing Wire Connectors ULStandard 486C.

The electrical access device 104 includes an electrical access connector110. The electrical access connector 110 is conductive. The electricalaccess connector 110 is for providing electrical access to theconductive wire within the power cable 106. The electrical accessconnector 110 penetrates the insulation sheath of the power cable 106and is in direct contact with the conductive wire within the power cable106. For example, the electrical access connector 110 can be one or morestruts.

The electrical access connector 110 electrically connects to acommunication interconnection 112 running from the electrical accessdevice 104 to the monitor terminal 102. The communicationinterconnection 112, similar to the power cable 106, is a power deliveryapparatus having two or more ends that are electrically connected toeach other. For example, the communication interconnection 112 can be awire, a cable, a bundle of wires that are electrically connected to eachother, a multi-pronged wire with more than two ends, or any combinationthereof. The communication interconnection 112 can optionally connectdirectly with a connector-end receptor at the electrical accessconnector 110. The connector-end receptor is a structure to secure andconnect the communication interconnection 112 with the electrical accessconnector 110. For example, the connector-end receptor can be a socket,a hook, a clamp, a plug, a male plug, a female socket, or anycombination thereof. The communication interconnection 112 can includeone or more wires with insulation sheaths.

The monitor terminal 102 can include a modem component 114. The modemcomponent 114 is for providing power line communication through thecommunication interconnection 112 to and from the monitor terminal 102,including decoding incoming signals and encoding outgoing signals. Powerline communication is a method of modulating a signal for communicationpurposes through a power cable without affecting proper functioning ofpower delivery. The modem component 114 can be connected to thecommunication interconnection 112 from the electrical access device 104.Optionally, the modem component 114 can be attached directly to theelectrical access device 104. The modem component 114 includes amodem-end receptor for connecting with the communication interconnection112. For example, the modem-end receptor can be a socket, a hook, aclamp, a plug, a male connector, a solder pad, a female connector, orany combination thereof.

The modem component 114 can include a power source, such as a battery topower a processor and a memory of the modem component 114.Alternatively, the modem component 114 can be powered by thecommunication interconnection 112 it is connected to. In that case, thebattery can be used to initialize the modem component 114. The modemcomponent 114 can also include a demodulator, a modulator, an amplifier,one or more filters, a system clock for synchronization, a power pulsereader, or any combination thereof.

The communication interconnection 112 can deliver an alternating current(AC), a direct current (DC), or a ground connection, or any combinationthereof. The modem component 114 can be powered through thecommunication interconnection 112.

The modem component 114 can adhere to a power line communicationprotocol, such as HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Institute of Electronicand Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1901, SAE J1772, ITU-T G.hN, orany combination thereof. Communication signals through the communicationinterconnection 112 can be encoded and decoded in accordance with thepower line communication protocol.

The monitor terminal 102 includes a monitor component 116. The monitorcomponent 116 is for collecting measurements of one or more physicalquantities from one or more sensors 118. The monitor component 116 canbe powered through the communication interconnection 112. The monitorcomponent 116 can include a storage memory for storing the measurementscollected. The monitor component 116 can be coupled to the modemcomponent 114 to communicate the measurements to the external system andto receive feedback or commands from the external system. Optionally,the monitor component 116 or the sensors connected to the monitorcomponent 116 can be attached to the modem component 114.

The monitor component 116 is coupled to one or more sensors 118 formeasuring the one or more physical quantities. For example, the one ormore sensors 118 can include an electrical current reader or anelectrical voltage reader that reads the current and voltage informationof the power cable 106, respectively, without interfering with thesupply of power. The electrical current reader can be coupled to acurrent transformer 119 attached to the power cable 106. The monitorcomponent 116 can also be coupled to an external sensor or measurementcomponent located proximate to a load of the power cable 106.

The one or more of the sensors 118 can be partially or entirely includedin the monitor terminal 102. Some or all of the one or more sensors 118can also externally couple to the monitor terminal 102. These sensorscan be coupled to and operated by the monitor component 116. Each of thesensors 118 is a measurement component or a converter that measures oneor more physical quantities and converts it into a signal which can beread by an observer, the monitor component 116, an instrument, or anexternal system. The physical quantity can include mechanical,electrical, chemical, or biological quantities. For example, the sensorcan include a thermometer, a camera, a voltmeter, a tactile sensor, anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, a current transformer, a pressure sensor, orany combination thereof.

The monitor component 116 can also be coupled to switches, actuators,controllers, sensors, or any combination thereof. The monitor component116 can operate or adjust the switches, actuators, controllers, orsensors based on an external command received via the modem component114. The monitor component 116 can also operate or adjust the switches,actuators, controllers, or sensors based on the one or more physicalquantities meeting one or more thresholds. For example, the monitorcomponent 116 can be coupled to a fan speed adjustment device attachedto a cooling fan proximate to a load of the power line. The monitorcomponent 116 can adjust the fan speed based on a reading of nearbytemperature.

Communication between the monitor component 116 and a central monitorstation via power line communication of the modem component 114 has beendiscovered to reduce cost of cabling and increase communication speed.The monitor component 116 can utilize the modem component 114 to reportthe measurements from the sensors to a central monitor station. Use ofthe electrical access device 104 allows the modem component 114 and themonitor component 116 to be connected to any portion of the power cable106.

The monitor terminal 102 can include a shell 120. The shell 120 is astructure at an exterior of the monitor terminal 102 for protecting themonitor terminal 102 and confining active components within the monitorterminal 102. The shell 120 can be made of any of various non-conductivesolid materials, including plastic, rubber, ceramic, glass, or acombination thereof. The shell 120 can include one or more openings forone or more of the communication interconnection 112. The shell 120 canbe attached to a nearby structure. For example, the shell 120 caninclude holes for nails or screws. The shell 120 can also include asmooth surface for adhesive tapes.

The monitor terminal 102 can block electrical noise and/or interferenceby a conductive shield. Such shield can include a conductive sheathseparated by insulation around the power cable 106, the communicationinterconnection 112, the electrical access connector 110, or anycombination thereof. The monitor terminal 102 can also include aprotection layer for preventing leakage through the power cable 106 orthe communication interconnection 112. The protection layer may includean insulating sheath or cover. The protection layer can also prevent anoperator of the monitor terminal 102 from getting shock. The protectionlayer can include an insulating cover to the electrical access connector110, the communication interconnection 112, the modem component 114, themonitor component 116, or any combination thereof.

The monitor terminal 102 can optionally include advanced powerelectronic devices, such as a flexible AC transmission system (FACTS).These power electronic devices can be coupled to the communicationinterconnection 112. The FACTS is a system composed of static equipment.The power electronic devices can be used to enhance controllability ofthe power transmission. The power electronic devices can also increasepower transfer capability of the power transmission through thecommunication interconnection 112 and the power cable 106.

The power line communication monitor system 100 can further include aneutral cable 122. The neutral cable 122 can be coupled to a currenttransformer 128, similar to the current transformer 119. One of thesensors 118, such as a current reader, can couple to the currenttransformer 128 to provide a power current reading of the power cable106 to the monitor component 116. The neutral cable 122 is similar tothe power cable 106 in structure, but does not carry power. The neutralcable 122 can include a conductor that carries current in normaloperation, which may be connected to ground.

The power line communication monitor system 100 can include a neutralaccess device 124. The neutral access device 124 is similar to theelectric access device 104 in structure, but coupled to the neutralcable 122. A neutral interconnection 126 can extend from the neutralaccess device 124 to the modem component 114 and the monitor component116. The neutral interconnection 126, like the communicationinterconnection 112, can be a wire or a split wire that electricallyconnects to multiple destinations. Power signals through thecommunication interconnection 112 referenced by the neutral signalthrough the neutral interconnection 126 together provide the voltagereading for the modem component 114 and the monitor component 116.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a monitor system environment200 for operation of a power line communication monitor system. Forexample, the monitor system environment 200 can be an environment inwhich the power line communication monitor system 100 of FIG. 1operates.

The environment can include a utility box 202. The utility box 202 is anenclosure in which power cables are congregated. For example, theutility box 202 can be a fuse box, an electric panel, a transformerstation, or any combination thereof. The utility box 202 can beconnected to power supply cables 204. The utility box 202 can also beconnected to load cables 206. The power supply cables 204 are connectedto a power source (not shown).

The load cables 206 are coupled to the utility box 202 and a load 208.The load cables 206 transfer power from the power cables to operate theload 208. The load 208 is a device powered by one or more of the loadcables 206. For example, the load 208 can be an electronic or mechanicaldevice.

The load cables 206 can be the power cable 106 of FIG. 1. A monitorterminal 210 can couple onto one or more of the load cables 206 with anelectrical access device 211. The monitor terminal 210 can be themonitor terminal 102 of FIG. 1. The electrical access device 211 can bethe electrical access device 104 of FIG. 1.

The power supply cables 204 can be coupled to an access node 212. Theaccess node 212 is a communication device, such as a power linecommunication modem, a computer, a power line communication relay, apower line communication bridge device, or any combination thereof. Theaccess node 212 can aggregate measurement data collected from one ormore of the monitor terminal 210. The access node 212 can include adisplay for displaying all or a portion of the aggregated data. Theaccess node 212 can be networked with an operation station 214. Theaccess node 212 can send the aggregated data to the operation station214.

The operation station 214 is a central monitor station, such as auser-operated computer, a computer server, a mobile device, networkedcluster server, a distributed computing service, or any combinationthereof. The operation station 214 includes a monitor application. Themonitor application receives measurement reports from monitor terminals,such as the monitor terminal 210. The monitor application can displaythe measurement reports, and provide an interface for commands ormessages to be sent out in response to the measurement reports. Thecommands or messages can also be sent out automatically, such as anautomatic shutdown if unstable power metering is detected in themeasurement reports.

The access node 212 can aggregate data collected by one or more of themonitor terminal 210 by decoding signals through the power supply cables204. Alternatively, the access node 212 can relay the signals from themonitor terminal 210. The access node 212 can include a modem component216 for encoding and decoding digital signals through the power supplycables 204. The modem component 216 can be constructed in the same wayas the modem component 114 of FIG. 1 of the monitor terminal 102 of FIG.1.

The access node 212 can be networked with the operation station 214through a network channel 218. The network channel 218 can include anumber of methods of digital or analog communication, including overpower line Ethernet, cellular network, wireless Ethernet, or wiredEthernet. For example, the network channel 218 can be through the powerline network that the power supply cables 204 are part of. For anotherexample, the network channel 218 can be a WiFi network, where the accessnode 212 includes a WiFi adapter for communicating via WiFi with theoperation station 214.

In one embodiment, the access node 212 can be considered as at the topof a network hierarchy of a power line communication network, whereinthe access node 212 provides connectivity between the power linecommunication network and an external network, such as the networkchannel 218. The modem component 216 can be a slave node with respect tothe access node 212, where the modem component 216 is at the bottom ofthe network hierarch. The modem component 216 can be connected to fieldequipment such as switch boards, circuit breakers, and etc.

Optionally, the access node 212 can be a bridge node for providingtransparent flow of information between segments where connections overpower line is not possible, e.g., at transformers. Each bridge node canrun node communication software at the top layer of the protocol stack.In this configuration, each of the modem component 216 can either beconnected directly to an access node at the top of a power line networkhierarchy or be connected via a bridge node to the access node at thetop of the power line network hierarchy.

The access node 212 can include a network layer for communicationbetween one master access node and all slave nodes of the master, aMedia Access Control (MAC) layer for providing addressing and channelaccess control, and a transport layer for providing transmissionservices. Optionally, the access node 212 can also include a serverspecific convergence layer including one or more manager components. Forexample, the one or more manager components can include a node sidemanager for communicating with field hardware and an AP side manager forcommunicating with a monitor application at the operation station 214.Optionally, the access node 212 can also include a common convergencelayer. The common convergence layer is for providing IP level routing.The common convergence layer can ensure that a protocol data unit sentwith a certain manager ID is delivered to the specific commonconvergence layer manager with that ID.

It has been discovered that the configuration above allows a high levelof granularity to monitor power and other physical quantities along apower line. The configuration also has the advantage of improvedresponse time and lowering of distance caps on the installation ofmonitor devices.

The operation station 214 can be placed in a variety of locations in theenvironment. The operation station 214 can be in the same building orfacility as the access node 212, where the operation station 214 cancommunicate via power cables. The operation station 214 can also be in aremote facility, where the access node 212 can communicate with theoperation station 214 via a wireless network, such as a cellularnetwork.

The operation station 214 can include a display for displaying adashboard of information collected from one or more of the access node212 and one or more of the monitor terminal 210. The dashboard caninclude different visualization tools for analyzing the measurementscollected by the one or more of the monitor terminal 210.

The monitor terminal 210, the operation station 214, or both can includea decision module 220 that can analyze the measurements and execute acommand to a facility device 222 or the load 208 that is locatedproximate to the monitor terminal 210. For illustrative purposes, thedecision module 220 is shown only in the monitor terminal 210, althoughit is understood that it can also be in the operation station 214. Thefacility device 222 is a device powered by a power line connected to amonitor device. The facility device 222 can be considered the same asthe load 208 or another load of the load line 206. The facility device222 can be an electronic or a mechanical device. For example, thefacility device 222 can be a fan that is part of the load 208. Theoperation station 214 can determine from the measurements received fromthe monitor terminal 102 that a fan has malfunctioned. The operationstation 214 can send a command to shutdown the fan.

The operation station 214 can also send a command to turn on or speed upother fans near the failed fan. The command can be delivered from theoperation station 214 through the network channel 218 to the access node212. The command can be encoded by the access node 212 through the powersupply cables 204. The command can be read from the monitor terminal 210via the load cables 206. The monitor terminal 210 can execute thecommand by adjusting the facility device 222, such as turning it on,turning it off, adjusting its components, adjusting its motors,adjusting its power, or any combination thereof

The execution of a command can be through a switch, such as anelectronic switch 224 to turn on and off the facility device 222. Theexecution of the command can also be through an actuator, such as anactuator 226 for mechanically controlling the facility device 222. Theactuator 226 can be operated by the monitor device to control thefacility device 222 of the power line, where the actuator 226 is foractuating a mechanical mechanism on the facility device 222.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, therein are shown an example of anelectrical access device 300. The electrical access device 300 can bethe electrical access device 104 of FIG. 1. The electrical access device300 is for providing electrical access to a power cable. The electricalaccess device 300 can be attached to a power cable drawing support froman attachment body 301. The attachment body 301 can be the attachmentbody 108 of FIG. 1. The attachment body is an insulating solidstructure, such as plastic, ceramic, glass, wood, or any combinationthereof.

FIG. 3A shows the electrical access device 300 with the insulation coveropen. When open, the electrical access device 300 can include anelectrical access connector 302. The electrical access connector 302 isa conductive structure for bridging electrical connection between twopower cables. For example, the electrical access connector 302 canpuncture an insulation sheath of a power cable. The electrical accessconnector 302 can be made of any conductive material, including copper,tin, iron, silver, gold, semi-conductor, or any combination thereof.

The electrical access connector 302 can be a self-stripping electricaltap connector with a probe connection. The electrical access connector302 can trap onto the power line and make connections to a power linemodem drawn off of this point through the probe connection. This isfurther illustrated by FIG. 3C.

The electrical access device 300 can includes an insulation cover 304.The insulation cover 304 is an insulating layer around the electricalaccess connector 302 to prevent electrical exposure of the electricalaccess connector 302. For example, the insulation cover 304 can be madeof plastic or ceramic. The electrical access device 300 can include acavity 306. The cavity 306 can allow one or more power cables to besecured onto the electrical access device 300.

FIG. 3B shows the electrical access device 300 in the closedconfiguration. In the closed configuration, the electrical access device300 can enclose a portion of a power cable 310 and a portion of acommunication interconnection 312. The power cable 310 can be the powercable 106 of FIG. 1. The communication interconnection 312 can be thecommunication interconnection 112 of FIG. 1 for electrically connectingwith a monitor device. The insulation cover 304 can partially orcompletely surround the power cable 310.

FIG. 3C illustrates the closed configuration of the electrical accessdevice 300 without showing the insulation cover 304 and the attachmentbody 301. In the closed configuration, the electrical access connector302 can puncture both the power cable 310 and the communicationinterconnection 312 to bridge an electrical connection between the two.For example, FIG. 3C illustrates that an insulation sheath 314 of thepower cable 310 is stripped open to expose an inner conductor 316 of thepower cable 310. Similarly, an insulation sheath 318 of thecommunication interconnection 312 can be stripped open to expose aninner conductor 320 of the communication interconnection 312.

FIG. 4A illustrates other examples of an electrical access device 400.The electrical access device 400 can be the electrical access device 104of FIG. 1. Here, the electrical access device 400 can include anelectrical access connector 402. The electrical access connector 402 isa conductive structure for bridging electrical connection between twopower cables. For example, the electrical access connector 402 canpuncture an insulation sheath 414 of a power cable 410 to contact aninner conductor 416 (illustrated by dotted lines) of the power cable410. The electrical access connector 402 can be comprised of anyconductive material, including copper, tin, iron, silver, gold,semi-conductor, or any combination thereof. A strap (not shown) can alsobe provided around the power cable 410 that secures the electricalaccess connector 402 to the power cable 410.

The electrical access connector 402 can then connect electrically via abridge connector 422A with a communication interconnection 412. Thebridge connector 422A is an extension of the electrical access connector402. The communication interconnection 412 can be the communicationinterconnection 112 of FIG. 1. The bridge connector 422A canelectrically connect the electrical access connector 402 to thecommunication interconnection 412.

The bridge connector 422A of the electrical access connector 402 can bea socket that connects to one end of the communication interconnection412 as shown in FIG. 4A. The communication interconnection 412 can thencouple to a power line communication device of the monitor device.

The electrical access connector 402 can be protected by an insulationlayer 424. The insulation layer 424 can ensure that the electricalaccess connector 402 is not exposed electrically. For example, theinsulation layer 424 can seal off the electrical access connector 402 atthe site of insertion, making a seal together with the insulation sheath414 of the power cable 410. The seal can be made with an insulationclamp 425 around the power cable 410 and the electrical access connector402 to ensure no conductive material is exposed. The insulation layer424 can surround an exposed portion of the electrical access connector402 that is not inserted within the power cable 410. The connection fromthe electrical access connector 402 to the bridge connector 422A are allinsulated with an insulation layer to prevent electrical shortage andleakage.

FIG. 4B illustrates a variation of the electrical access device 400. Inthis example, as an alternative to the bridge connector 422A, a bridgeconnector 422B is illustrated. The bridge connector 422B is connected tothe electrical access connector 402 in the same way as illustrated byFIG. 4A. Here, the bridge connector 422B is a pin that punctures aninsulation sheath 418 of the communication interconnection 412 to makeelectrical contact with an inner conductor 420 of the communicationinterconnection 412. The pin inserted is a conductor. A strap (notshown) can be provided around the communication interconnection 412 tosecure the bridge connector 422B to the communication interconnection412. The bridge connector 422B can be protected by an insulation layer426. The insulation layer 426 can ensure that the bridge connector 422Bis not exposed electrically. For example, the insulation layer 426 canseal off the bridge connector 422B at the site of insertion, making aseal together with the insulation sheath 418 of the communicationinterconnection 412. The seal can be made with an insulation clamp 428around the communication interconnection 412 and the bridge connector422B to ensure no conductive material is exposed The insulating layer424 can be provided around the exposed portion of the bridge connector422B that is not inserted within the communication interconnection 412.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown a block diagram of a monitorcomponent 500. The monitor component 500 can be the monitor component116 of FIG. 1. The monitor component can be connected to a communicationinterconnection 502. The communication interconnection 502 can be usedto power the monitor component 500. For example, the communicationinterconnection 502 can be the communication interconnection 112 of FIG.1.

The monitor component 500 can be coupled to a modem component 501 via acommunication module 504. For example the modem component 501 can be themodem component 114 of FIG. 1. The modem component 501 can be connectedto the communication interconnection 502 to encode signal through thecommunication interconnection 502 or to decode signal from thecommunication interconnection 502. The communication module 504 can senddata, such as commands or measurements to the modem component fortransfer. The data sent can be analog or digital. The communicationmodule 504 can receive data, such as commands or feedback informationfrom the modem component.

The monitor component 500 can include a battery (not shown) for poweringon the monitor component 116. The battery can also be used as backuppower when the communication interconnection 502 cannot provide adequatepower on its own.

The monitor component 500 can include a central processor 506. Themonitor component 116 can also include a memory 508. The centralprocessor 506 can execute one or more software or firmware modules storeon the memory 508. The central processor 506 can also facilitateexecution of hardware modules to process the incoming and outgoingsignals from the monitor component.

The monitor component 500 can include one or more processes ofmonitoring a data center facility. The one or more processes can beimplemented by components, storages, and modules described below. Themodules can be implemented as hardware components, software modules, orany combination thereof. For example, the modules described can besoftware modules implemented as instructions on a non-transitory memorycapable of being executed by the central processor 506.

Each of the modules can operate individually and independently of othermodules. Some or all of the modules can be combined into one module. Asingle module can also be divided into sub-modules, each performingseparate method step or method steps of the single module. The modulescan share access to a memory space, such as the memory 508. One modulecan access data accessed by or transformed by another module. Themodules can be considered “coupled” to one another if they share aphysical connection or a virtual connection, directly or indirectly,allowing data accessed or modified from one module to be accessed inanother module.

The monitor component 500 can include additional, fewer, or differentmodules for various applications. Conventional components such asnetwork interfaces, security functions, operating system, loadbalancers, and the like can be included.

The monitor component 500 can include a command interpreter module 510.The command interpreter module 510 can be coupled to the communicationmodule 504 for receiving a command that is received by the communicationmodule. The command interpreter module 510 can interpret the commandreceive. The command interpreter module 510 can determine whether thecommand can be executed and what conditions must be met in order toexecute the command. The command interpreter module 510 can determinehow to execute the command. The command interpreter module 510 cangenerate one or more instructions for a command execution module 512.

The monitor component 500 can include a decision module 514. Thedecision module 514 can be the decision module 220 of FIG. 2. Thedecision module 514 can determine whether an instruction needs to besent to the facility device based on measured quantities of sensors.

The monitor component 500 can include the command execution module 512.The command execution module 512 is coupled to the command interpretermodule 510 for receiving and executing the instructions interpreted bythe command interpreter module 510. The command execution module 512 canalso be coupled to the decision module 514 for receiving and executingthe instructions from the decision module 514. The command executionmodule 512 can be coupled to facility devices, such as the facilitydevice 222 of FIG. 2. The command execution module 512 can modulate itsconnection with the facility devices based on the instructions received,including turning one or more of the facility devices on or off. Forexample, the command execution module 512 can control an electric switch516, an actuator 518, a controller 520, or any combination thereof. Forexample, the electric switch 516 can turn a fan on and off. For anotherexample, the actuator 518 can mechanically move a computer tray. For yetanother example, the controller 520 can control speed of a fan.

The monitor component 500 can include a collection module 522. Thecollection module 522 is for collecting the measurements of sensors 524.The collection module 522 can aggregate and store the measurements ofthe sensors 524 in the memory 508. The sensors 524 can be the sensors118 of FIG. 1.

The monitor component 500 can include a normalization module 526. Thenormalization module 526 is for normalizing the measurements of thesensors 524. For example, the collection module 522 can store a historyof the measurements in a history store 528 from each of the sensors 524for the purpose of normalizing measurements reported based on historicaldata.

The monitor component 500 can include a filter module 530. The filtermodule 530 is for filtering the measurements of the sensors 524. Forexample, the filter module 530 can filter away low or high frequencyvariations of the sensors 524.

The monitor component 500 can include a report module 532. The reportmodule 532 is for reporting the measurements of the sensors 524 to amonitor station, such as the operation station 214 of FIG. 2. The reportmodule 532 can be coupled to the communication module 504 fortransmitting or providing the measurements via power line communication.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a flow chart of an embodimentof a method 600 of deployment of a power monitor system, such as thepower line communication monitor system 100. The method 600 includescoupling a monitor device that has a measurement component to a powerline communication device for communicating a physical quantity measuredfrom the measurement component across a power line in a method step 602.In some embodiments, the power line communication device can be directlyattached to the measurement component. The power line communicationdevice can also be integrated with the monitor device.

The measurement component can measure one or more physical quantities.For example, the physical quantity can be an electrical property, amechanical property, a spatial property, a temperature, a pressurereading, a lighting condition reading, a moisture reading, a weightreading, or any combination thereof.

The method 600 includes a method step 604 to electrically couple anelectrical access device to the power line. The method step 604 includesinserting a connection tap of an electrical access device into the powerline through an insulation sheath to a conductor within the power line.The method step 604 can include inserting an extension of the connectiontap into an electrical interconnect, such as a wire, through a secondinsulation sheath to a second conductor of the electrical interconnect.The electrical interconnect can then be coupled to the power linecommunication device.

The method 600 further includes attaching the electrical access deviceto the power line in a method step 606. This step serves to secure theelectrical access device to the power line. The method 600 also furtherincludes coupling electrically the electrical access device to themonitor device and the power line communication device in a method step608. This step serves to enable the monitor device to communicate viapower line communication through the electrical access device.

During the deployment stage, other devices can be coupled to the monitordevice. For example, an electronic switch can be coupled to the monitordevice for switching on or off power supplied to a load of the powerline. An actuator can also be coupled to the monitor device, where themonitor device can operate the actuator to actuate a mechanicalmechanism on a load of the power line.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown a flow chart of an embodimentof a method 700 of operating a power monitor system, such as the powerline communication monitor system 100. The method 700 includes a methodstep 702 to collect physical quantity data. The method step 702 includesmeasuring a physical quantity with a measurement component of a monitordevice.

The method 700 includes a method step 704 to communicate the measurementreadings. The method step 704 includes communicating measurementmessages across a power line with a power line communication device. Themethod 700 includes a method step 706 to power the monitor device andthe power line communication device. The method step 706 includespowering the monitor device and the power line communication devicethrough an electrical access device coupled to the power line, theelectrical access device having a connection tap inserted into the powerline through an insulation sheath to a conductor within the power line.

The power monitor system can be operated remotely by a command. Forexample the method 700 can include a method step 708 to receive acommand. The method step 708 includes receiving a command message at thepower line communication device. In response to the command message at amethod step 710, the power monitor system can perform an actionaccording to the command message. Performing the action can includeflipping an electronic switch operated by the monitor device to adjustpower supplied to a load of the power line. Performing the action canalso include activating an actuator operated by the monitor device toactuate a mechanical mechanism on a load of the power line.

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedisclosure. Numerous specific details are described to provide athorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances,well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in thepresent disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to thesame embodiment; and such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

While processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to providealternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may beimplemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes orblocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processesor blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed atdifferent times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values orranges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: connecting a monitorterminal to a power line of a data center to thereby electricallyconnect a power line communication (PLC) modem and a measurementcomponent in the monitor terminal to electrical signals across the powerline; powering the measurement component and the PLC modem via theelectrical signals of the power line; measuring a physical quantity ofthe electrical signals across the power line with the measurementcomponent; detecting, based on the measured physical quantity, a currentstatus of a load connected to the power line; determining which of aplurality of different operations is to be performed relative to theload according to the detected current status of the load, at least oneof the operations comprising adjusting input power supplied to the loadfrom a first operational level at which the load operates to a second,different operational level at which the load operates; communicating ameasurement message across the power line via the PLC modem, wherein thePLC modem communicates in accordance with a power line communication(PLC) protocol, wherein the measurement message indicates the measuredphysical quantity, and wherein the measurement message includes thedetermined operation that is to be performed relative to the load; anddecoding, from the electrical signals and via the PLC modem, a commandmessage responsive to the measurement message, wherein the commandmessage causes the determined operation to be performed relative to theload of the power line.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingmodifying, via the monitor terminal, a connected equipment based on themeasured physical quantity.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein themonitor terminal is modularly portable.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising in response to the command message, flipping, via themonitor terminal, an electronic switch to adjust power supplied to theload.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to thecommand message, operating, via the monitor terminal, an actuator toactuate a mechanical mechanism on the load.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein connecting the monitor terminal includes: securing an electricalaccess device onto the power line and enabling the PLC modem and themeasurement component to electrically access a conductive wire withinthe power line via the electrical access device.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising enhancing controllability of power transmissionthrough the power line by utilizing a flexible alternating currenttransmission system (FACTS).
 8. A method, comprising: coupling an accessnode with a power line communication (PLC) modem to a bundle of powercables; interpreting measurement messages from electrical signals of thebundle of power cables according to a PLC protocol, wherein themeasurement messages correspond to a plurality of monitor terminals fortracking and managing power quality at different locations in a datacenter; sending the measurement messages to a computing device toaggregate measurement data from the access node; and generating acommand message to adjust input power supplied to one or more electricaldevices in the data center in response to detecting an unstable power inthe measurement messages, the command messages being configured toadjust the input power from a first operational level at which the oneor more electrical devices operate to a second, different operationallevel at which the one or more electrical devices operate.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the PLC modem is capable of interpreting data bydecoding electrical signals individually from the bundle of powercables.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the access node is networkedwith the computing device via a wired network channel.
 11. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the access node is networked with the computing devicevia a wireless network channel.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein thecomputing device is another access node.
 13. The method of claim 8,further comprising generating a command message for a first monitorterminal of the monitor terminals in response to receiving a measurementmessage at the access node from the first monitor terminal.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the command message specifies an action tobe performed by the first monitor terminal.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the action is to flip an electronic switch.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the action is to operate on an actuator.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the action is to adjust a fan.
 18. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the measurement messages include measurementsof electrical characteristics at different sections of the power cablesmonitored by the monitor terminals.
 19. A method, comprising: connectinga monitor terminal to a power line of a data center to therebyelectrically connect a power line communication (PLC) modem and ameasurement component in the monitor terminal to electrical signalsacross the power line; powering the measurement component and the PLCmodem via the electrical signals of the power line; measuring a physicalquantity of the electrical signals across the power line with themeasurement component; communicating a measurement message across thepower line via the PLC modem, wherein the PLC modem communicates inaccordance with a power line communication (PLC) protocol and whereinthe measurement message indicates stability of the measured physicalquantity; and generating a command message to adjust input powersupplied to one or more electrical devices in the data center accordingto the measurement message, the command messages being configured toadjust the input power from a first operational level at which the oneor more electrical devices operate to a second, different operationallevel at which the one or more electrical devices operate.